Why the I-94 Record Matters
Form I-94 is an official record issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that tracks a foreign visitor’s arrivals and departures. It determines how long you are legally allowed to stay in the United States, regardless of your visa’s printed expiration date. Your I-94 record—whether electronic or paper—is the key proof of your lawful visitor status.
When you enter the U.S. by air or sea, CBP automatically issues an electronic I-94. If you enter through a land border, you may still receive a physical paper version. It’s essential to review your I-94 details after each entry to ensure all information is accurate, as errors could impact your lawful stay.
I-94 Expiration and “Admit Until” Dates
Your I-94 expiration date defines the last day you are authorized to remain in the U.S. The “Admit Until Date” tells you when you must depart the country.
If your I-94 shows “D/S” (Duration of Status) instead of a specific date, it means you may stay as long as you continue to maintain your lawful visa status. For example, international students often have “D/S” listed on their I-94 because their stay depends on maintaining enrollment and compliance with student visa requirements.
Key Details Shown on Your I-94
Your I-94 record contains crucial information about your stay, including:
- Admit Until Date: The final date you’re authorized to remain in the U.S.
- D/S (Duration of Status): Indicates your stay is tied to maintaining lawful status, rather than a fixed date.
- Class of Admission: The visa category you entered under (such as H-1B, L-1A, or F-1).
- Admission Number: A unique identifier used for tracking your entry and exit history.
Always verify these details promptly after entering the United States.
How to Access and Verify Your I-94 Record
To check your I-94 record and travel history, follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Visit the official U.S. Customs and Border Protection I-94 website
👉 https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/search/compliance-search
Step 2: Enter your personal information
Provide your full name, date of birth, country of citizenship, and travel document number (usually your passport number).
Step 3: Review your results
The I-94 results page will display your current admission details, “admit until” date, and travel history. This helps you determine how long you can legally remain in the United States.
Duration of Stay in the U.S.: Date vs. D/S Explained
Understanding how long you can legally stay in the United States is critical for every visa holder. Your Form I-94 determines your authorized period of stay, and it will either display a specific date or the notation D/S (Duration of Status).
If your I-94 includes a departure date, you must leave the U.S. on or before that date. This date represents the final day of your authorized stay. Most tourists and H- or L-class workers receive I-94 forms with a clearly stated expiration date.
By contrast, students and exchange visitors often receive I-94 forms marked with D/S, meaning Duration of Status. This indicates they can remain in the country as long as they continue to maintain their lawful visa status—such as remaining enrolled in an educational program or continuing authorized employment.
The D/S notation is most commonly issued to F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors.
How to Locate Your I-94 Expiration Date
Your I-94 expiration date is the official record of your authorized stay in the United States. You can find this date at the bottom right corner of your I-94 form. Always verify this information after each entry into the U.S. to ensure accuracy and compliance.
Visa Expiration Date vs. I-94 “Admit Until” Date
It’s essential to understand that your visa expiration date and your I-94 “Admit Until” date are not the same.
- The visa expiration date refers to the last day you can use your visa to enter the United States.
- The I-94 “Admit Until” date indicates how long you are permitted to remain in the U.S. after entry.
This “Admit Until” date determines your authorized period of stay, not your visa. In many cases, the I-94 date expires before the visa does.
For example, you may hold a multiple-entry visa valid for 10 years, but your I-94 may allow a stay of only 6 months. In such cases, you must leave the U.S. before your I-94 expires or apply for an extension to stay longer.
Key takeaway: The I-94 “Admit Until” date controls your legal stay in the United States. Staying beyond this date places you out of status, which can result in visa revocation, denial of reentry, arrest, or deportation.
I-94 Rules for Students and Exchange Visitors
Students holding F-1 or J-1 visas often receive an I-94 marked D/S (Duration of Status). This allows them to remain in the U.S. as long as they continue to comply with visa requirements—such as full-time enrollment and maintaining a valid I-20 or DS-2019 form.
Example:
An F-1 student maintaining a full course load and a valid I-20 may legally stay in the U.S. throughout their academic program. Their authorized stay is tied to maintaining student status, not a fixed date.
Tourism and Business Visitors
Travelers entering the U.S. under B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourism) visas may receive visas valid for up to 10 years, but each stay is typically limited to six months.
After this period, the traveler must depart the country. They may later reenter under the same visa, provided they meet all conditions. However, attempting to extend stays repeatedly or remaining for long durations inconsistent with the visa purpose can result in visa cancellation or denial of entry.
Applying for a New I-94
If you arrive in the U.S. by air or sea, an electronic I-94 is automatically generated—no separate application is necessary. However, if you enter by land or selected ferry routes, you must apply for a new I-94 through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website.
To apply, visit the CBP I-94 portal, click “Apply for I-94,” and provide the requested travel information.
Extending Your Authorized Stay
Many nonimmigrant visa holders—including those on F-1, H-1B, L-1, or O-1 visas—may apply for an extension before their I-94 expires.
Overstaying your authorized period can result in visa cancellation and future entry bans.
However, extensions are not available to those admitted under certain categories, such as:
- C (Transit through the U.S.)
- D (Crewmember on ships or aircraft)
- K-1/K-2 (Fiancé(e) or dependent of fiancé(e))
- S (Witness or informant)
- TWOV (Transit Without Visa)
- WT/WB (Visa Waiver Program)
If you are unsure whether you qualify for an extension, consult the immigration attorneys at Green Card Link for expert guidance.
Correcting Errors on Your I-94
Even though the I-94 process is digital, data entry errors can occur. Always review your I-94 record after arriving in the United States by visiting the official CBP I-94 website.
If you find a mistake, you should visit the nearest CBP office (often located at major international airports) or one of over 70 Deferred Inspection Sites across the U.S.
CBP officers at these sites can correct:
- I-94 entry records
- Biometric data errors
- Improper nonimmigrant classifications
The immigration attorneys at Green Card Link can also assist you in reviewing your I-94 record and resolving any issues that could affect your legal status.